Julia wakes one day only to find herself bruised, something she doesn't seem to notice. Her hands show blood that she washes out during her morning shower routine. At work, she appears distant. That night, as she returns home, the impact of what had happened in her apartment shocks her because she finds her live-in lover, Nahuel, dead. Ramiro, who was also involved sexually with Nahuel is wounded.
For reasons that aren't explained, we never get to know the reason behind the murder. It is never made clear whether Julia was the killer, although everything conspires to land her in jail. Ramiro has survived and he is telling a different story that seems to be the opposite of what Julia confesses to the authorities in charge. We don't get to know the motive for the crime.
What follows is an account of Julia's life in prison. The first thing the guards find out is that she is pregnant. Instead of going to the regular ward for criminals, Julia is taken to the maternity section where women with children are allowed to keep them until they turn four years of age. Julia begins to see what life is going to be now behind bars. It isn't a pretty sight. Luckily, Marta, another convict with two children comes to her rescue one day when Julia is assaulted in the communal showers. Marta, also, wants a piece of her new friend, but she is kinder.
Julia's mother, Sofia, arrives from France, where evidently she has been living for some time. The relations between mother and daughter aren't exactly the best. Julia gives birth to Tomas. Not having any guidance, Julia is awkward in the way a baby has to be fed, among other things. Sofia helps bringing clothes and other things for the baby. The lawyer that has been trying to defend Julia is not exactly effective in presenting her case. To make matters worse, the case is brought to a formal trial and Ramiro lies about the crime, which allows him to leave the prison.
Pablo Trapero is an interesting director. His previous films reveal he is an artist that loves to tackle themes no other men would. Mr. Trapero co-wrote the screenplay of this complex story that is more than a 'women behind bars' story. He makes a case about how strange justice works for someone like Julia, a woman caught in a web of red tape and because of her status as a female in a macho dominated society.
The best thing in the film is Martina Gusman, who is married to the director and who has served as producer for all of her husband's films. Her Julia is one of the best performances in the Argentine cinema, bar none. She is an actress to consider, even though she has only appeared in 'Nacido y criado' before. Elly Medeiros plays Sofia, the distant mother that suddenly has to face her daughter's imprisonment at close range. Laura Garcia and Rodrigo Santoro are seen as Marta and Rodrigo, the other two main characters of this harrowing account about a woman entangled in a web where she can't escape.
For reasons that aren't explained, we never get to know the reason behind the murder. It is never made clear whether Julia was the killer, although everything conspires to land her in jail. Ramiro has survived and he is telling a different story that seems to be the opposite of what Julia confesses to the authorities in charge. We don't get to know the motive for the crime.
What follows is an account of Julia's life in prison. The first thing the guards find out is that she is pregnant. Instead of going to the regular ward for criminals, Julia is taken to the maternity section where women with children are allowed to keep them until they turn four years of age. Julia begins to see what life is going to be now behind bars. It isn't a pretty sight. Luckily, Marta, another convict with two children comes to her rescue one day when Julia is assaulted in the communal showers. Marta, also, wants a piece of her new friend, but she is kinder.
Julia's mother, Sofia, arrives from France, where evidently she has been living for some time. The relations between mother and daughter aren't exactly the best. Julia gives birth to Tomas. Not having any guidance, Julia is awkward in the way a baby has to be fed, among other things. Sofia helps bringing clothes and other things for the baby. The lawyer that has been trying to defend Julia is not exactly effective in presenting her case. To make matters worse, the case is brought to a formal trial and Ramiro lies about the crime, which allows him to leave the prison.
Pablo Trapero is an interesting director. His previous films reveal he is an artist that loves to tackle themes no other men would. Mr. Trapero co-wrote the screenplay of this complex story that is more than a 'women behind bars' story. He makes a case about how strange justice works for someone like Julia, a woman caught in a web of red tape and because of her status as a female in a macho dominated society.
The best thing in the film is Martina Gusman, who is married to the director and who has served as producer for all of her husband's films. Her Julia is one of the best performances in the Argentine cinema, bar none. She is an actress to consider, even though she has only appeared in 'Nacido y criado' before. Elly Medeiros plays Sofia, the distant mother that suddenly has to face her daughter's imprisonment at close range. Laura Garcia and Rodrigo Santoro are seen as Marta and Rodrigo, the other two main characters of this harrowing account about a woman entangled in a web where she can't escape.